Cash-register.



Patented Apr. 29,7 |902.

W. KNEHANS &. F. PSGHEL.

2 Sheets-Shed i.

- (No Model.)

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No. 698,967. Patented Apr. 29, |902.

w. KNEHANS a F. PscHEL.

CASH REGISTER.-

. y (Applictiqn led June 2, 1900.) (no model.) 2 sheets-sheet 2.

ilne nula I l anvar; lo'w/ i. 5, #Maty "$4: I f I /1 v y UNITED STATES lPATENT EEICE.

4WILHELM KNEHANS AND FRANZ PSCI-IEL, OF BIELEFELD, GERMANY, AS-

SIGNORS TO THE BIELEFELDER MASCI-IINENFABRIK VORMALS DRKOPP t CO., OFBIELEFELD, GERMANY.

CASH-REGISTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 698,967, dated April29, 1902.

Application filed June 2,1900.

T a/ZZ whom, t 711,603/ concern:

Be it known that we, WILHELM KNEHANS, merchant, and FRANZ PSCHEL,mechanical engineer, subjects of the German Emperor,

residing in the city of Bielefeld, Germany, have invented new and usefulImprovements in or Relating to Cash-Register Apparatus, of which thefollowing is a specification.

Our invention relates to cash-registering 1o apparatus in which therelease of the drawer and the coupling and uncoupling of the registeringmechanism are effected simultaneously by means of a lever. The apparatusis so arranged that the opening of the cash-drawerisimpossiblewithoutpreviouslyoperatingthe keys. For this purpose thelever must be pressed down twice from its normal position. By the firstmovement of the lever all the register-operating devices are moved backto the zo zero or normal position, while at the time the cash-drawerremains locked. If now the neXt amount of cash received is indicated,the release of the locking device is effected. The second downwardmovement of the lever produces the opening of the cash-drawer.Theindicating and registering devices remain unchanged. -In this mannerthe cash-drawer after being locked cannot be opened again before a newoperation of the keys and the 3o indicated amount visible to thecustomer and to the operator until another amount receivedl isindicated.

In the accompanying draWingaFigure 1 is a longitudinal section throughthe improved cash-register, showing the hand-lever, as well as themechanism connected with it, in side elevation. Fig. 2 is a rear view ofthe registering device with its connections with the hand-lever. Fig. 3represents an enlarged 4o detail isometric View of the heart shapedgroove.

1 indicates the hand-lever, to be operated by the cashier, said leverbeing pivoted on a rod 2. A spring 3, attached at one end to anysuitable part of the casing or frame of the apparatus and at the otherend to the inner eX- tremity of the lever 1, tends to draw the latterdownward. Near the inner end 4 of the lever 1 is articulated a rod orbar 6, which in Serial No.18868. (No model.)

its turn is articulated to a cylindrical bolt 7. 5o This bolt issurrounded by a cyiinder 8 in such a manner that it can freely turn init, but involves the latter in its movement whenever the bolt is axiallydisplaced. The surface of the cylinder is provided with a heartshapedgroove with four points or recesses 9, 10, 11, and 12. The cylinder 8 issurrounded `by a cylinder or tubular casing 18, xed to the frame of theapparatus, the cylinder 8 being arranged in the latter like apiston-Jr'. e., 6o is capable of being moved up and down in it. Al pin21-in the wall of the xed cylinder 13 engages in the heart-shaped groovein the piston 8. The piston 8 is thus guided when it moves up or downbythe heart-shaped groove. 6 5 The cash-drawer14is held in the positionrepresented in the drawings by means of a hook 15, pivoted at 1G. Thishook engages a bar or projection 17, fixed to the cash-drawer. To thefree end of the hook 15 is connected a 7o rod 1S, the upper part ofwhich is provided with a longitudinalV slot-19. A pin 20 on the part 4of the lever 1 engages in this slot 19.

The operation and effect of the lever 1 are as follows: When the leveroccupying the positionas represented in the drawings is pressed down, itwill pivot around its axis 2 and its end 4 will ascend. The piston 8will also rise and at the same time turn in the cylinder 13, owing tothe pin 21 engaging the 8o heart-shaped groove in the piston. Thedistance to which the lever end 4 can rise is equal to the verticaldistance between the points 9 and 10. Itis clear, therefore, that thelever 1 can only be so far depressed until the 85 point 10 comes againstthe pin 21. The pin 2O on the part 4 of the lever l asoendssimultaneously, but only to the top of the slot 19, and the rod 18 isconsequently not raised. Thus the movement of the pin 2O does not af- 9ofeet during the rst movement of the lever the rod 1S and hook 15-11 c.,the cash-drawer remains locked. When the lever 1 is released, its innerend will again descend under the influence of the spring 3, while thepin 21 enters the recess 11 of the heart-shaped groove. In consequenceof this the lever 1 will not return to its original position.

Through this first movement of the lever the indicating devices arebrought back to the zero position in a manner to be describedhereinafter. After the first depression and release of the lever itremains stationary, as described above, and allows the cashier toindicate the new amount paid in. This having been done, the lever 1 ispressed down a second time. By this second depression of the lever thecash-drawer is released and opened. This is effected in the followingmanner: By pressing down the lever a second time the end 4- of the leverrises again. Since the pin 21 now passes along the arc 11 12 of theheartshaped groove, the piston 8 is correspondingly turned in thecylinder 13, and the end L ot' the lever can rise until the recess 12comes against thepin 21. As the recess 12 is lower than the recess 10,thepiston can move to a correspondingly greater height in the cylinder13, and consequently during this second movement of the lever the pin 2Owill strike against the upper end of the slotted bar 18 and raise it. Inconsequence of this the free end of the hook 15 will be raised and thehook will turn about its pivot 1G. The hook 15 is thus disengaged fromthe bar 17 and the cash drawer becomes unlocked. Springs (notrepresented in the accompanying drawings) effect an automatic opening ofthe drawer in the usual manner, so that the bar 17 moves out of reach ofthe hook 15. The lever 1 being released after its second down wardpressure, the free end of the lever is again drawn downward by thespring 3 and the piston 8 moves down with it, the pin 21 passing alongthe curve 12 9 of the heartshaped groove until it arrives again at itsfirst position, as represented in the accompanying drawings. The hook 15andthe rod 1S are so arranged that the pin 2O never reaches the bottomof the slot 19, there always remaining a certain free space. The objectof this is as follows: When after placing the amount received into theopened caslrdrawer the latter is pushed back again, the bar 17 comes incontact with the end of the hook 15 and, raising it slightly, passesbelow it, and in order that this raising should be possible the saidfree vertical space is provided. After pushing the drawer fully in thehook 15 engages again over the bar 17, in consequence of which the bar,and with it the drawer, is again locked.

The operating-keys consist of slides, each of which is provided with anindex set according to a corresponding scale. One of these slides, whichin all respects are similar to each other, is represented in theaccompanying drawings. The slide 22 can be dis" placed and set by thecashier by means of a handle 23. For fixing the slide locking-teeth 24-24 are provided on the under side of the slide, which teeth as the slideis d rawn forward slide over the vertical end of a hook or catch 25,pivoted at 2G and drawn or pressed upward by means of a spring 32. r1`heslide is guided over rollers 27 2S, and a spring 3f) tends to draw theslide inward. At its front. end the slide is provided with a sleeve 29,containing a pin 30, provided on the top with a roller 3l and supportedor pressed by a spring in such a manner as to allow the pin 30 to yieldin a vertical direction. In this manner the slide is not only guided ina straight line, but also elastically pressed against its guidingdevice. Owing to this spring-controlled pressure, the teeth 21 21- canpass when the slide is drawn forward-LT. e., from left to right in the drawings-over the vertical shank of the hook 25, being correspondinglyraised when the slide is drawn out, while an unintentional pushing in ofthe slide is impossible. Each 'slide is provided with a similar hook 25.All the hooks 25 are pivoted about the same shaft 2li. In the angle ofthe hooks 25 is freely arranged a shaft 32, mounted at its ends in slots50. This shaft is fixedly connected with a latch or lever, the shorterinner end 33 of which presses against a fixed stop or projection 34,while the longer arm 35 is free and provided at its end with anarticulated part 36. Opposite to this articulation 3G the lever 1 isprovided with a finger 37. The effect of the first downward pressure ofthe lever from the position represented in the drawings on the slidemaybe thus explained. Let us suppose that the slide 22 is drawn out. Thehook 25 will hold it in the desired position by engaging in thecorresponding locking-tooth. 1t', now, the lever 1 is pressed down, thefinger 37 will press down the part 36. Since the end is pressing againstthe projection 3l, this point of contact of the two parts will form thepivot or fulcrum for the lever 33 35, and since the shaft 32 is notfixed, but only mounted in slot-bearings, the shaft will descend alsoand in doing so will move the hooks 25 downward. The vertical shank ofthe hook will thereupon be disengaged from the locking-tooth, and thespring 39 will draw the slide vback to its Zero position. The finger 37passes over the extreme edge of the hinged part 36, so that this partbecomes free and the shaft too. Each hook therefore can be raised againby the spring 38, owing to which the shaft will also be raised to itsformer position. Should now the slide 22 be again drawn out for thepurpose of indicating a new amount, the locking-teeth 2l 24 will slideover the vertical end of the hook 25 and as soon as released will belockedin position by the hook 25, the locking remaining' effected alsoduring the second pressing down of the lever. Since the finger 37 isunderneath the articulation 36 after the first pressure on the lever,any further pressure downward of the lever and its finger will have noeffect as regards the articulation 3 vWhen the lever 1 is released afterthe second pressure downward, its front end will rise again. he fingerwill thereupon pass by the articulation 3G, the latter giving away andturning on its hinge in the direction opposite to that of the movementof the watch-hand,

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without,`however, influencing the lever 35. In consequence of this theamount exhibited on the indicator remains stationary and visible untilanother amount is to be indicated.

Each of the slides 22 is formed or provided on its upper side with arack, the teeth 40 of which gear with the tooth-wheel 41, gearing withanother tooth-wheel 42, andthis with a tooth-wheel 43. The toothedwheels 43 are loosely mounted upon a sleeve turning upon the shaft 44.The sleeve is provided with pins, against which strike studs projectinglaterally from toothed wheels 43. Upon the sleeve is fixed asector-shaped cam 45, turning with the sleeve when one of the toothedwheels rotates. The cam 45 actuates a lever 46 47, pivoted at 48, theother end of which effects the locking of the cash-drawer. The objectand effect of the cam 45 and the levers 46 and 47 will be clear from thefollowing eX- planation:

When the slide 22 is in the position represented in the accompanyingdrawings and indicates the zero position, the position of the cam asregards the lever 46 is such that the latter, as represented in thedrawings, is not affected. The free end 47 of the lever is pressed downby a spring 51 in such a manner that it engages in a notch 49 in theside of thecash-drawer. The latter is therefore kept locked in suchposition by the levers 46 and 47. When, however, a slide 22 is drawnforward-t'. e. from the left to right-the corresponding toothed wheel43, and with it the cam 45, is turned in the direction indicated by thearrow. In the course of this movement the cam presses down the upper endof the lever 46, owing to which the other end 47 of the lever iswithdrawn from the notch 49'and the drawer is unlocked. It is clear thatthe cash-drawer cannot be opened until the movement of the cam has beeneffected-i. e., until a new amount has been indicated. In this mannerany attempt to avoid indicating is rendered impossible. IVith theactuation of the indicator devices the registering mechanism issimultaneously operated. This is effected in the following manner:The'toothed wheels 43, gearing with other toothed wheels 52, which areliXably connected with the indicator 53,also engage-with the toothedwheels 54 of the registering mechanism. The latter is arranged on ashaft'55, on which it is longitudinally movable. Suit-ably arranged inmovable connection with the slidable frame of the registering device isa bar 56, Fig. 2, articulated to a bell-crank lever 57 58, mounted on afixed pivot 59. A spring 60 is fixed at one end to a suitable part ofthe frame of the apparatus and at the other to one arm of the bell-cranklever 57 5S in such a manner as to tend to un'cou ple the toothed wheels54 of the registering mechanism from-the toothed wheels 43 by laterallydisplacing the former lengthwise on the shaft 55. At the side of the endof thehand-lever 1 is provided a catch groove strikes against the pin21.

or projection 6l, carrying at its free end an articulated catch 62,supported by a spring.

The effect of the hand-lever 1 on the registering mechanism is asfollows: In the position as represented in Figs. 1 and 2 the lever 1does not affect the bell-crank lever 57 58- t'. e., the registeringmechanism is out of operation. By pressing down the lever 1 for thefirst time its inner end, and with it the projection 61, ascends.In'doing so the springcontrolled catch G2 strikes against the arm 58 ofthe bell-crank lever 57 58 without moving it, since the catch isarticulated and gives way as it passes. The catch 61 ascends until therecessed part 10 of the heart-shaped curve strikes against the pin 21,Fig. 1. On releasing now the lever 1 its inner end will descend untilthe recessed part 11 of the heart-shaped With it descends alsothe'projectio'n 61 and the catch 62. The measurements 'are so determinedthat the catch 62 will press the bell-crank lever downward and keep itin that position as long as the pin 21 is inthe recess 11. By thuspressing down the arm 5S of the bell-crank lever the bar 56 moves theframe of the registering mechanism longitudinally upon the shaft 55,bringing the wheel 54 into mesh with the toothed wheels 43. The positionof the lever when the pin 21 is inthe recess .11 is now, as has beendescribed above, the same as that in which the slides 5 are operated.From this it follows that the registering mechanism lis operated whenthe amount taken is indicated. 0n pressing down the lever 1 a secondtime the cash-drawer is opened. At the same time the end of the lever 1and the projection 61 rise, and the pin 21 engages in the recess 12 ofthe heart-shaped groove. On releasing the lever the catch descends andpasses over the eXtreme end of the arm 5S until it reaches the positionrepresented in Fig. 2. Since the slides 22 remain stationary during thattime, the registering mechanism cannot be affected. If now the slidesr22 are again set back to the Zero position, the lever 1 again receivingthe iirst pressure downward from its initial position the registeringmechanism remains out of action. The last-registered amount remains,therefore, indicated, and to it the new amount will be registered in duecourse.

Having now described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a cash-registering apparatus, thecombination of a registeringmechanism, an indicating mechanism, a cash-drawer, an actuating-lever,means controlled thereby for releasing the registering devices, meansfor'keeping the drawer locked vuntil the amount of cash is indicated bythe indicator, and means for releasing said drawer-locking means carriedby said actuating-lever, substantially as described.

2. Ina cash-registering apparatus, the com- IOO IIO

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bination of a registering mechanism, an indicator and a cash-drawer, anactuating-lever, means controlled thereby for operating the registeringmechanism, means for locking the drawer, means for preventing therelease thereof when indicating the amount of cash by the indicator, andmeans for releasing the cash-drawer on a subsequent further depressionof the actuating-lever, substantially as described.

3. In acash-registering apparatus, the combination with an indicatingmechanism of an operating-lever, means controlled thereby for operatingthe indicating mechanism, means for locking the operating-lever againsta full downward stroke at one operation, and means for releasing saidlever for moving the remainder of the stroke after the indicatingmechanism has been reset by the iirst portion of the stroke of saidlever, substantially as described.

4. In a cash-register apparatus, the combination with an operating-leverof a piston for regulating the movement of said lever, having aheart-shaped groove, and a fixed pin on the frame of the register forengaging the latter so as to limit the movement of the piston,substantially as described.

5. In a cash-registeringapparatus, the coinbination with a cash-drawerand an operating-lever, ofa piston having an approximately heart-shapedgroove and a fixed pin on the frame of the register engaging the saidgroove, a hook for locking the cash-drawer, a pin-andslot connectionbetween the operating-lever and the said hook for permitting a partialmovement of the lever without releasing the hook, substantially asdescribed.

t3. In a cash-register apparatus the combination with indicating devicesand an operating-lever, of catches for locking the indieating devices,means for disengaging the catches, a shaft having an arm provided withan articulated part and a linger on the operating-lever cooperating withthe articulated part, whereby said arm will be actuated when the leveris moved in one direction, but not when reversed, substantially asdescribed.

7. In a cash-register apparatus the combi- Y nation with indicatingdevices and an operating-lever, of a piston having a heart-shapedgroove, and a fixed pin engaging the latter, catches for lockingindicating devices, means for disengaging the catches comprising asha-ft having an arm provided with an articulated part, and a finger onthe operating-lever cooperating with the articulated part, substantiallyas described.4

8. In a cash-register apparatus the combination with indicating devices,a cash-drawer and an operating-lever, of a piston having a heart-shapedgroove, and a pin engaging the latter, a hook for locking the drawer, apinand-slot connection between the operatinglever and the hook forlocking the drawer, catches for locking the indicating devices, meansfor disengaging the catches and acted upon by the operating-lever, ashaft having an arm provided with an articulated part, and a ii nger onthe operating-lever coperating with the articulated part, substantiallyas described.

9. In a cash-registeringapparatus, the combination of an indicatingmechanism, a registering mechanism, an operatinglever, a spring-actuatedbell-crank lever normally retaining the registering mechanism and theindicating mechanism in an uncoupled condition, and a spring-controlledcatch projectinglaterally from the operating-lever and deo signed tostrike one arm of the bell-crank lever for moving said bell-crank leverfor effecting the coupling of the said mechanisms, substantially asdescribed.

l0. In a cash-registering apparatus, the combination with an indicatingdevice, an actuating-lever, and a cash-drawer having a notch in one edgethereof', of means engaging said notch for locking the drawer, asecondlocking means, means for releasing both locks, and means controlled bysaid actuating-lever for setting the indicating device before therelease of said locks, substantially as described.

1l. In a cash-registering apparatus, the combination with aslidably-mounted registering mechanism, an indicating mechanism, and anoperating-lever, of an articulated catch carried thereby, means couplingsaid registering and indicating mechanisms, and means for shifting theregistering mechanism for uncoupling said parts, comprising a bellcranklever adapted to be actuated by said articulated catch, and a barpivotally connecting said bell-crank lever with the registeringmechanism, substantially as described.

IZ. In a cash-registering apparatus, the combination with anactuating-lever, and an indicating mechanism, of slides provided wit-hteeth on their upper edges for operating said indicating mechanism,locking-teeth on the under edges of said slides, hooks engaging the saidlocking-teeth, a shaft mounted and laterally movable in the angle of thehooks, a lever carried by said shaft, by which it may be caused todisengage said hooks from said locking-teeth, and means on theactuatinglever for engaging the said shaft-lever, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILHELMl KNEHANS. FRANZ PUSCIUCL.

\Vitnesses:

HENRY Hasrnn, Wonnnimn IIAUr'r.

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